Two Fulham players and Blackburn captain Elliott Bennett test positive for coronavirus

Blackburn captain Elliott Bennett and two Fulham players test positive for coronavirus as the EFL confirm three new cases across the 71 clubs after 1,030 new tests

  • Two Fulham players have tested positive for Covid-19 in latest round of tests
  • Blackburn’s Elliott Bennett has also returned a positive test, the club revealed 
  • They will now self-isolate in accordance with EFL and government guidance
  • There were three positive results from 1,030 tests in latest EFL testing round
  • Last week’s round of testing produced just two positives from 1,014 tests 
  • Championship clubs returning to training as EFL decides how to finish season 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Two Fulham players and Blackburn Rovers captain Elliott Bennett have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest round of EFL testing – but they were the only three positive results returned from 1,030 players and club staff overall.

Fulham have not revealed the identity of the two players but they will now self-isolate in line with EFL and government guidance.

Blackburn then confirmed their captain Elliott Bennett was the third of those tested to return a positive.   

Fulham have revealed two players have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest round of EFL testing. Overall, there were three positive tests from 1,030 people

Fulham are third in the Championship table. The identities of the players who tested positive have not been revealed

Fulham are third in the Championship table. The identities of the players who tested positive have not been revealed 

Blackburn's Elliott Bennett has also tested positive for coronavirus during the latest results

Blackburn’s Elliott Bennett has also tested positive for coronavirus during the latest results

The low return of only three tests is a major boost in efforts to get the Championship season – and possibly League One – back up and running. 

The 1,030 players and staff were tested on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Blackburn said that Bennett, 31, initially submitted a negative test on Friday May 22 but then was positive when he underwent a second test on Monday. 

He is asymptomatic and is feeling no ill-effects but will self-isolate at home for the next week. 

Bennett said: ‘I feel fit and healthy. I obviously would never have known if we hadn’t returned to training and taken the tests, because I don’t feel unwell and have got no symptoms whatsoever.’ 

The EFL’s last round of tests saw two positive results from 1,014 tests. It was revealed the two people were at Hull City.

Hull City were the only Championship side to produce positive results from the initial 1,014 coronavirus tests that were carried out on players and staff at all 24 teams in the league

Hull City were the only Championship side to produce positive results from the initial 1,014 coronavirus tests that were carried out on players and staff at all 24 teams in the league

Hull confirmed the third person who tested positive in the latest round of tests was not from their club. The two who were positive last week remain in self-isolation. 

There have been 12 positive results from 2,752 tests of players and staff in the Premier League so far. 

The EFL’s 71 member clubs are set to decide in the coming days how to conclude the season with differing opinions across the three divisions.

Most Championship clubs have indicated they wish to restart the season and complete the remaining matches.

Indeed, many Championship clubs have returned to phase one non-contact training this week with a view to restarting games by the end of next month.

The low return of positive results from the latest set of Covid-19 tests will offer comfort that the Championship clubs can push on towards a resumption.

Leeds United topped the Championship table when the season was suspended back in March

Leeds United topped the Championship table when the season was suspended back in March

There is a split in League One over the best method to conclude the season with some clubs wanting to play on and others happy to end the season now and settle the final table on a points-per-game method.

In League Two, a majority of clubs have indicated their wish to conclude the season now, meaning Crewe, Swindon and Plymouth would be promoted automatically.

Plans would be put in place so the four teams in the play-off places – Exeter, Cheltenham, Colchester and Northampton – can return to training.

Sportsmail understands that provisional dates of June 16 and 23 for the two-legged semi-finals to take place have been earmarked. 

June 30 has been identified as a potential date for the final. Completing the play-offs by the start of July is significant because it negates the difficulties posed by player contracts or loans expiring on the final day of June.